title: IgA-mediated autoimmune hemolytic anemia in an infant.
abstract: Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies, most frequently of the IgG isotype, directed against erythrocyte surface antigens. The direct antiglobulin test (DAT) is the critical laboratory test for the diagnosis of AIHA, but is negative in 3-11% of cases. In these cases of DAT negative AIHA, a wider spectrum of clinical data including more specialized testing for erythrocyte autoantibodies may be required. We describe the unique and challenging case of an infant with corticosteroid-responsive, DAT negative AIHA, in which specialized gel card testing identified an isolated IgA autoantibody on the erythrocyte surface.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA. patrick.mcgann@stjude.org
authors.forename: Patrick T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: McGann
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McDade
authors.forename: Nicole A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Mortier
authors.forename: Martha R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Combs
authors.forename: Russell E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Ware
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000276:immunology*; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D003298:Coombs Test; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D001323:Autoantibodies; C049937:anti-IgA